Please find below our frequently asked questions about the NDIS. If you have any other questions or would like further information on the NDIS, feel free to contact us using the contact form on the right, or by calling (02) 4621 8400.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a nationwide scheme that will support people with a permanent and significant disability. The NDIS will give people with disability more choice and control over how, when and where support is received. It also offers certainty that individuals will receive the support they need over their lifetime.

If you are eligible for the NDIS you will receive your funding package to purchase reasonable and necessary supports that will help people with a disability to pursue their goals, achieve increased independence and assist them to participate in their community. The support can include education, equipment, health and wellbeing, employment and social participation.

Commencing in July 2016, the NDIS will be introduced to the South West Sydney district, including the Macarthur, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Bansktown/Liverpool/Fairfield areas. Click here for more information.

To make sure the NDIS is implemented successfully, it will be introduced over several years. The first stage of the NDIS was launched July 2013 in four locations throughout Australia. The full scheme will be progressively rolled out by 2019. Until the scheme has been rolled out in everywhere, existing Commonwealth, state and territory government funded disability services will continue.

Individuals with a permanent and significant disability aged between 0 – 64 years who need help with everyday activities. This includes people whose disability is attributed to intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment, also psychiatric conditions. Check for eligibility at www.ndis.gov.au.

This is a series of 5 questions to determine eligibility for the NDIS. Individuals must first complete the NDIS Access Checklist www.ndis.gov.au to establish eligibility. It is a simple series of questions and only takes around 10 minutes to complete.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is to oversee the implementation of the NDIS. The NDIA is responsible for determining eligibility for the NDIS and establishing a Personal Support Plan with people with a disability. NDIA staff can assist to access the agreed supports identified in the individuals Plan and facilitate payment of providers if required.

If you currently receive funding through Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) you may be contacted when the NDIS is available in your area, however it is always important to check. If you have any concerns contact the NDIS directly at www.ndis.gov.au.

People who are not eligible for funding under the NDIS can still get advice and information from the organisation. For people who apply and are not successful there is a review and appeals process. Go to www.ndis.gov.au for more information.

Your pathway for accessing support depends on your situation, your goals and choices. The first step is to complete the NDIS Access Checklist application on line to check eligibility. If you are eligible and live in an area where the NDIS is operational, contact the NDIA and arrange an appointment. You will then work with the NDIA to:

Confirm eligibility – at your first appointment you will meet with a planner to confirm your eligibility. Taking documentation from your professional confirming diagnosis is highly recommended.
Develop an individual plan – once your eligibility is confirmed you will meet with a Planner to discuss your goals and aspirations for the life you want to live and the reasonable and necessary support you need to achieve this. Being prepared for this is also recommended.
Choose your supports – if you wish, a local area co-ordinator can help you choose your supports based on your individual Plan or you can choose to manage this yourself. You can also stay with the support provider you currently use.
Review of your Plan – your Plan can be reviewed at any time necessary if you feel it’s not working, your circumstances change or it’s not adequate. All going well it will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Yes you will, but it will be the last time you need to tell your story. The initial assessment will determine eligibility and the level of support you require.
Will Macarthur Disability Services be able to carry out my assessment?
No. The assessment process is managed by the NDIA but MDS is able to work with you prior to the assessment to help achieve the best possible outcomes. A support person can also attend your Planning meetings at your request to assist in detailing support needs.

Support people with a disability to pursue their goals and maximise their independence.
Support people with a disability to live independently and to be included in the community as fully participating citizens.
Develop and support the capacity of people with disability to undertake activities that enable them to participate in the community and in employment.
The supports must assist each person to pursue their goals, objectives and aspirations, encourage social and economic participation, represent value for money and be effective and beneficial for the participant. The NDIS will take into account existing supports provided through the state or Commonwealth and these existing supports may form the basis of the new plan. It has also been agreed that no person should be disadvantaged by the transition to the NDIS. Supports provided can cover areas such as Personal Care, Community Access, Transport, Interpreting and Translating and Employment. The funded Plan covers services, supports and equipment.

NDIA staff will make the decision based on the NDIS Act 2013 and the rules made under the NDIS Act. NDIA staff will refer to the Operational Guidelines that relates to each specific support. In order to be considered “Reasonable and Necessary”, a support must:

Be related to the participant’s disability.
Not include day to day living costs that are not related to a participant’s disability support needs.
Be effective and beneficial to the participant.
Take into account informal supports given to participants by families, carers, networks and the community.

Which may cause harm to the person or others.
That are not related to the person’s disability.
That duplicate supports received through other funding.
Are day to day living expenses (rent, food, household bills etc.)
Are related to income replacement.
Are medical or clinical service.

If you are currently receiving funding from ADHC in NSW this will continue until the NDIS is available in your area. When the NDIS becomes available in your area and you are deemed eligible, a Plan will be developed to best meet your needs and you will transition to NDIS funding.

Once you are deemed eligible for the NDIS you can start the planning and assessment process with your NDIA Planner. It is recommended that you prepare for this process by knowing what supports you require both formal and informal and what goals you have for your future – living independently, gaining employment or increasing your skill set etc. You will need to identify your needs, your goals and your current supports. This will establish with your Planner any additional supports you need are identified. You are able to have a support person with you during appointments, family member, friend, carer or support worker, someone who knows your situation well. For some great tools to assist with the planning process go to: www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process.

Yes – your plan can be changed by requesting a review or as part of your regular plan review cycle. This regular review cycle is set by your Planner and can be 6 or 12 months, depending on your goals and objectives. The NDIA can request a review of your plan at any time.

Once you have an agreed Personal Support Plan developed by yourself and the NDIA, you will then be able to choose how your Plan will be managed. You have a choice of 3 options;

Self-Managed – you will manage both the financial and administrative requirements.
Use a Plan Management Provider – Approved organisations can be chosen to do all the financial and administrative tasks relating to your Plan. This includes paying suppliers, developing service agreements, hiring and paying of staff and reporting to the NDIA. Plan Management Providers must be registered with the NDIA. This support is done for a fee.
Nominate the NDIA to make all payments necessary to Registered Providers of Support.
The experience of the Trial sites – the majority of NDIS participants have chosen option 3.

Yes. Your mobility needs must be met by the support package offered to you by the NDIS. The NDIS will notify Centrelink of your support package when implemented therefor payment of Mobility Allowance will cease.

MDS will continue to partner with people with disability and provide opportunities to work on their plan and achieve their goals & dreams under the NDIS. MDS is already a Registered Provider of Service with the NDIS. You may request MDS to continue to provide these services.

MDS is more than happy to assist with any questions you have about the NDIS. Please call MDS on 0246 218 400 or you can request to join our “Keeping in Touch” information newsletter – distributed by email.

MDS will continue to partner with people with disability to support in achieving their goals and dreams through a broad range of high quality activities and program options. MDS has been defying boundaries for over 30 years and will continue to offer a quality service to its existing and future customers under the NDIS. There will be the opportunity to develop new and diverse activities and opportunities with people with disability.

MDS can offer a wide range of support options and activities to people with disability. Our staff are trained and professional and have excelled in quality audits. MDS provide a welcoming and safe environment for individuals to achieve excellent vocational and community outcomes. We are happy to evolve with you as your support needs change. Our customers, families and carers are at the heart of all we do at MDS.